WELCOME TO 2019!

January 18 2019

Elana Zabari originally hails from Queens in New York. She plays eclectic covers and originals filled with sincerity and emotion. Her soulful voice can be found at live venues and also in the studio providing her vocals on various projects. Elana currently plays mostly in her adopted town of Milford, CT but is branching out to other parts of the Tri-state area.

Nick Depuy, having just graduated from American University majoring in music and literary studies, is an evocative and haunting singer-songwriter. Nick boasts a unique sound that is rooted in old time folk, jazz and blues. But his influences do not define him, as he puts his own stamp on the likes of rock, pop, and hip-hop in the songs that he writes and sings.

Jeff Burnham is a singer-songwriter whose work builds on the Americana and folk tradition. He recently finished tracking a new record called Lost and Found due for release in early 2019. Lindsey Clark plays viola and sings with Jeff’s band (the Insiders). Her mellow mid-range orchestral instrument complements Jeff’s acoustic rock style. Jeff & Lindsey enjoy performing as a duo, especially unplugged when they get a chance to explore arrangements and introduce new material.

February 15 2019

Meggie Czepiel – has been writing songs in her head most of her life and on paper since she was thirteen. She joined her church youth choir at age three and has been singing in various choirs ever since. December also marked Meggie’s eleventh year taking classical piano lessons. When she’s not writing, singing, practicing, or listening to music, Meggie enjoys playing with her cats, watching Friends, and reading about Meyers Briggs.

Ponybird – Influenced by the emotional roots of country, the confessional poetry of folk, and the spatial freedom of ambient and harmonic tones, Ponybird is the solo project of Jennifer Dauphinais, an evolving artist who translates something both introspective and infinite all at once. The heart of Ponybird is derived from a central singer-songwriter focus, with a tribe of players that satellite the work.

Shawn Taylor – Wandering roots troubadour Shawn Taylor, weaves music from many colored threads of Americana. His fourth original CD “Balance,” wanders from Appalachian to island groves, rock to pop, sparse folk ballads to finger-style time twisters and gut busting blues. “Shawn Taylor is one of the finest traveling troubadours performing on the circuit these days. Boasting world-class guitar chops, soul enriched vocals and an uncanny knack for capturing life in a song,” wrote Brian Owens, of Metronome Magazine – Boston in June 2018. “His lyrics dabble in a wonderful gritty naturalism that’s uncommon around here,” wrote Dan Barry of the New Haven Advocate. He’s won and placed in, performing songwriter competitions up and down the east coast, such as the Towne Crier in New York and Infinity Hall in Connecticut, and has also been awarded internationally for his short fiction. He’s played some of America’s most treasured listening rooms such as the Blue Bird Café in Nashville, Tennessee and Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia, and has shared the stage with legends and notables including Maria Muldaur, Peter Mulvey, Vance Gilbert, Pat Wictor, Scott Ainslie, Spuyten Duyvil, Garnet Rodgers and Sarah Potenza. He’s been an oysterman, a custom cabinet maker and has thru-hiked (end to end), the Appalachian Trail (GA-ME), the John Muir Trail (CA) and The Long Trail (VT). He’s spent the past decade relentlessly performing (267 shows in 2017), travelling, exploring and developing his wandering roots sound and life philosophy. Last summer, his wife and two children, seven and nine, joined him on the road for the first time. Their six-week tour touched down in eight states, included wild ponies and a flash flood, and ended with Taylor’s appearance as a 2017 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (NY) “Emerging artist.” The family will join him again on the road in 2018, for 6,ooo miles, in an expanding loop, growing their roots wider and deeper, and planting and harvesting future seeds of wandering roots.

March 15 2019

Zoo Front Unplugged -Ed Ekendu – Guitar & vocals, Nancy Tief – Guitar & vocals, Lisa Tonner – percussion -Zoo Front has been a part of the Connecticut music scene for more than 2 decades. Over the years, the band has recorded 8 albums, growing and evolving through personnel changes, technological innovations and life experiences. Blessed with a wide variety of musical influences, Zoo Front creates listener-friendly gentle melodies with thought-provoking lyrics. Playing as an acoustic trio has helped us spread our musical wings, allowing us to expand our repertoire and reinterpret some of our edgier songs and share them in quieter settings. We are thrilled to be playing at the Old Church Concert Series tonight.

May 18, 2018

Brian Dolzani – The music of Connecticut singer/songwriter Brian Dolzani has been called ‘medicine for the soul’ (Lonesome Noise) and ‘remarkably affecting’ (No Depression). Brian tours Nationally and has shared the stage with James McCartney, Bill Payne, The Black Lillies, Freedy Johnson, and many others. Brian will be releasing his 8th album ‘Horse’ in Spring 2018. More: http://www.briandolzani.com

Brian MacDonald – In a career spanning four+ decades, Brian MacDonald has performed up and down the East Coast, gracing the stage with the likes of James Taylor, Paul Simon, Don McLean, The Desert Rose Band, Al Anderson, Southside Johnny, Livingston Taylor, Ben E. King, and many more . His songs have appeared in major motion pictures, television programs and commercials as well as the stage. His album “Midnight in Nowhere”, has received rave reviews and enjoys extensive airplay throughout Europe and Australia. In 2007 he signed a publishing/recording deal with Friday Records, an L.A./Nashville based company headed by Grammy/Oscar producer Rick Jarrard(Michael McDonald, Jose Feliciano, Nillson, Jefferson Airplane). A live CD, “Midnight Xpresso” was on numerous “Top CDs of the year” lists and also received extensive airplay. “Wasted Avenue”, a dark, harder rocking collection of songs, was released in limited edition in 2010, and immediately got a buzz from industry insiders. In 2012 Friday Records/Rick Jarrard released the first in a series of recordings Brian made for them, beginning with a new take on Steve Earle’s classic “My Old Friend, the Blues” featuring a signature Rick Jarrard string arrangement, and a sweeping, cinematic version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dry Lightning”, featuring Country Music Hall of Fame pedal steel legend J. D. Maness. These recordings immediately started selling on iTunes, Amazon, and numerous other sites.
A live recording of Warren Zevon’s “Carmelita” was released by Friday Records/Rick Jarrard in 2013 , which coincided with the release of “Lawyers, Guns and Photos: Photographs and Tales of my Adventures with Warren Zevon by George Gruel”. ( www.biggorillabooks.com ) George Gruel was, according to Warren himself, the Excitable Boy’s “best friend/aide-de-camp”, and manager during the prime, crazed days. George and Brian had become friends, and George wore a “Midnight in Nowhere-Brian MacDonald” T-shirt on the cover of the book, and mentioned Brian in the final print, giving him two paragraphs! Brian then was asked by George to perform at many book signing/release events, which led to increased interest/sales, and streaming activity on Spotify, Amazon, iTunes and other sites for Brian’s recordings. 2017 was a busy year, with the release of the live, solo, in-studio CD release “The Old Wolf Starts Looking Back”, and hosting the East Coast Warren Zevon Convention “ZeConn One”, a sold-out show held in Hartford, Ct. New recordings, and remixed re-releases are planned for 2018, and requests for live appearances are coming from around the country, England and France, where Brian has developed a loyal, “cult” following, complete with fan-made videos on Youtube. Brian just continues on like he has for a long time, taking his music wherever people will listen…..

April 13, 2018

Quinn Miller – A nineteen year old musician and singer from Connecticut. She has a strong dedication to playing music and has been singing since she was a child and learning guitar since she was 13. She wrote her first song when she was 8 years old and performed it at her mother’s work’s talent show. Recently graduated from high school, she’s working on saving up money and expanding her music career. With a strong passion for film as well, she hopes to create content for her YouTube channel once she has access to a computer. Many of her songs are based on different moments of her life and have been written throughout the last six years.

Jeff Przech – A native of Hartford, Connecticut, now calling Unionville, CT home, Jeff Przech (pronounced ‘Presh’) released his debut record “Sounds Like Fresh” in 2015. Called ‘as Americana as they come’ by one reviewer, Przech’s music offers a different geographical take on the genre while still maintaining the characteristics of modern Americana music. Przech, despite hailing from the Northeast, offers a very authentic take on the Americana sound with a distinct lack of pretense. Though 2015 was his debut as an original artist, Przech spent over a decade playing in the Connecticut cover band scene before deciding to devote his full attention and efforts to his own songs. Przech favors the narrative style of lyricism shown by modern artists like Jason Isbell as well as legendary artists like Kris Kristofferson, who Przech cites as his biggest influence. Przech’s newest record, “Jeff Przech & The Outfit,” has more of a full band sound than his debut, heavy on Telecasters and a vintage vibe achieved by recording the record live in the studio. The songs on the Outfit record show an evolution and growth while still maintaining the narrative quality. “Jeff Przech & The Outfit” is due in April 2018. Przech has also started work on another project, “The Red Door Sessions,” that will be available through his website later in 2018.

Collinsville String Band (duo) “Hailing from Collinsville, CT (as the name suggests), the Collinsville String Band is a 5-piece bluegrass band. Known locally for their energetic performances, the Collinsville String Band prides itself on close vocal harmonies and tasteful arrangements of traditional and modern bluegrass music. Performing as a duo, Seth Hagymasi and Aaron Shaw- trading off on guitar and mandolin as well as lead and harmony vocals- maintain the same close “brother” harmonies with stripped-down arrangements of traditional bluegrass, old-time, and original music.”

March 16, 2018

Parker Hu is a Chinese-American musician from Connecticut. She is currently involved in various projects, including the bands Them Damn Hamiltons, 1974, and her own solo work.

Krizta Moon is a singer songwriter, storyteller and board certified music therapist. She mindfully weaves a intimate sharing experience throughout her performances. Her songs elicit mystical warmth and devious charm threaded together with a reflection of divine connection. With humor and humility, Krizta provides a sacred atmosphere for an engaging evening that will ignite your spirit and captivate the truest nature of our collective soul.
Check out www.kriztamoon.com for more info!

The Alpaca Gnomes eclectic style has allowed them to appear on a multitude of bills with varied acts and musical genres such as DJ Logic, Funky Meters, Anders Osbourne, Railroad Earth, The Drifters, The Tokens, Rick Derringer, Soul Rebels, Roots of Creation, Kung Fu, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, Funky Dawgz Brass Band, Box Set Duo Trio, The Main Squeeze, as well as private events such as ESPN radios NCAA College Football National Championship pre-party in Pasadena, California.

The Alpaca Gnomes have built a loyal following of passionate fans, nicknamed “Gnomies”, who often join the fun by rocking the band’s signature Gnome style hats during shows. The band rocks out many venues, festivals, and concert series

February 16, 2018

Marsha – Becca Marchesseault is a singer/songwriter who goes by the stage name Marsha. Although she is still searching for her sound she continues to write and produce songs in anticipation for her first album. Marsha is self-taught on guitar and her favorite playing style is acoustic fingerpicking. In addition to guitar she also plays the piano and the ukulele.

Nathaniel Hintz is a country and western artist from Watertown, Connecticut. Nathaniel incorporates a Rockabilly style of guitar playing, blending with a lively punk attitude. Putting a modern twist on the Sun Records sound of the 50s, he picks up where Johnny Cash left off. Nathaniel has opened for acts such as Glen Roth, Cash’d Out, and Sunny Sweeny. Nathaniel released his self-titled debut album in the summer of 2016 and is currently working on two new projects

Lara Herscovitch is a modern American songwriter-poet-performer gem, creating masterful contemporary folk with blues, pop and jazz influences. Former Connecticut State Troubadour, she writes, sings and leads with authenticity, integrity, humor and heart, delivering performances that inspire, inform, uplift and entertain. Sound Waves Magazine described her music as “expertly written prose… songwriting at its best… good for your ears AND your soul.” All with a voice Performer Magazine called “clear and smooth like expensive liquor.” www.LaraHerscovitch.com

January 19, 2018

Anne Marie Menta – Singer-songwriter Anne Marie Menta hails from New Haven, CT, and grew up in a family of three brothers where playing and listening to music was their great passion. Since 1999, Anne Marie has released three CDs of original music, including the most recent “Seven Secrets” and is currently planning her fourth. Anne Marie’s tunes blend the personal and universal in a contemporary folk/pop style with a touch of country flavor. Performing with Anne Marie will be multi-instrumentalist and producer Richard Neal on guitar and mandolin.

Levi Reynolds – Born in Washington State, but raised in the hills of West Virginia, Levi Reynolds grew up in a house of science, music and love. Singing from an early age, he then picked up the guitars, mandolins, and drums that his mother and father had filled their home with, and began writing songs at the age of fourteen. Experimenting with elements of rock n roll, country, folk, punk and all manner of musical notions, Levi developed a unique voice and eleven years later, is still singing songs about the stars, the trees, and the daily trials and triumphs that fill the small moments of our lives.

December 15, 2017

Among The Acres – “Among the Acres” is a folk rock quartet based out of Hartford, CT that fuses an eclectic range of influences into a sound defined by cascading vocal harmonies, intricate string melodies, and an insatiable desire for “groove”. They deliver powerful live performances, marked by a dynamic spectrum of style, emotion, and sound.

Becky Kessler of Violent Mae was never intended to be a band. Becky asked Floyd to record and produce her first solo album, and as soon as they hit the studio, chemistry and dynamics between the two sparked the evolution of an artistic partnership. Their self-titled debut initially released in 2013 garnered national attention and was re-released early in 2015 when it hit college radio riding a wave into the Top 100 for 6 weeks on the CMJ Radio chart. Kid is the sophomore release due November 20, 2015. Rising out of Becky’s guitar driven songwriting and multi instrumentalist, Floyd’s production style, the record is a document of a band coming into its own.

November 17, 2017

Shannon McMahon a singer/songwriter from Stratford, CT, creates contemporary folk music with rich vocals and songs that resonate with a strong sense of the human experience. Shannon got her first guitar at the age of nine, and wrote her first song when she was ten years old. She started performing publicly when she was 12, at church, coffeehouses and other functions. At the age of 17, Shannon auditioned for and was accepted into a vocal performance class at the New School, in New York City, taught by Brown Bradley.

Kate Callahan – A soulful and optimistic performer, Kate Callahan is Connecticut’s 16th State Troubadour. While serving her two year honor, she has spoken out about the stigma of mental illness, developed a vocal empowerment program for women inmates at York Prison, and launched a successful crowdfunding campaign in support of her newest album. Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary) says Kate’s songs are “Zen-like” and the Boston Globe praises her, saying “Kate has garnered an appreciative audience with her easygoing vibe and inspirational, at times mystical lyrics.”

The Sawtelles – Married duo the Sawtelles are a balance of four elements, alternate-tuned guitar, various drum kit configurations, and two voices. Sparse but intricately arranged pop that is as lush as it is threadbare makes what is played as important as what isn’t. Their strict DYI philosophy aligns them more with the hand painted Sun Ra LP’s of 1950’s and 60’s then it does with those striving for mainstream commercial success.

October 13, 2017

Kathy Muir – Soulful Scottish singer-songwriter Kathy Muir conjures enlightened songs that paint vivid landscapes of her journey as she transforms elements of pop, folk, blues and jazz into brand-new sounds. Her warm, playful voice glides through lyrics that unfold like the words of an inviting diary. The addition of ethereal guitar melodies and rhythms of an orchestra of other instruments help recount the story of a well-traveled life.

Rivers is a husband and wife songwriting team made up of Mike & Chandra Rivers…over the past year they’ve been writing songs that will be on their upcoming debut record. Both have played in other bands in the past but this is their first go in music together apart from singing around the house(always a regular occurrence).. We’re excited to be part of the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival!

Seat Of Our Pants (SOOP) has been playing their own brand of contemporary acoustic folk by the “seat of their pants” since 2011, and having a whole heck of a lot of fun doing it…but don’t let that name fool you. Humble beginnings and word of mouth accolades have propelled them to venues throughout Connecticut and beyond. Their shows feature SOOP originals, as well as covers of current and not so current tunes, all delivered with stunning harmonies, and a unique arrangement of acoustic instruments you don’t see every day.

September 15, 2017

Shannon Mulready is a multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer and composer living in West Hartford, CT. He performs solo acoustic shows as a guitarist and is also the drummer for Connecticut Rock bands Supergreen and Majic Bullets. He has released six solo albums of original material in addition to a number of collaborative albums with various bands and artists since 1995. From 2005 – 2009 he was keyboardist and vocalist for New York City Jam Band Brollik.

Em Betts is a solo acoustic artist based in central Connecticut, inspired by the likes of Brandi Carlile, Tracy Chapman, and KT Tunstall. Born and raised in a musical family in East Haddam, Em has been a singer for as long as she can remember and a guitarist for 12 years. Relatively new to the arena of live music, Em has been playing shows for about two years, the highlight of which was at Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk, CT in 2016. Em is hoping to release her first EP later this year. For more info, visit facebook.com/embettsmusic

Lines West is a post-Americana/Indie-pop band based in Bridgeport, CT. They have been described as “Simon and Garfunkel fronting Wilco or The Band”. Others have compared them to, “A semi-acoustic Coldplay fronted by Paul McCartney”. In an album review, No Depression magazine exclaimed “Good songs all, ready to be enjoyed right out of the box.”

May 19, 2017

Ponybird: Influenced by the emotional roots of country, the confessional poetry of folk, and the spatial freedom of ambient and harmonic tones, Ponybird is the solo project of Jennifer Dauphinais, an evolving artist who translates something both introspective and infinite all at once. The heart of Ponybird is derived from a central singer-songwriter focus, with a tribe of players that satellite the work.

Them Damn Hamiltons is an original quintet based in Connecticut. Through soaring melodic lines and haunting hooks, the band tells stories of devilry and damnation – often with a dose of dark humor. The band’s musical styles range from foot-stomping chanteys and head-bobbing grooves to sorrowful waltzes and intense, brooding rock. Described as “Connecticut’s masters of the new American Gothic,” Them Damn Hamiltons blends their influences to create a style all their own.

April 21, 2017

Andrea Paquin knew at a very young age that music touched her soul. After years of begging, she finally got a guitar. She taught herself “Helpless” by Crosby Stills Nash and Young, and played it over and over again until she perfected it…..this is where her musical journey began. She taught herself how to play the guitar, bass, harmonica, and how to sing. She played bass and sang harmonies in a band “The Everyday Visuals”, while at the same time writing and performing her original music. She left the band after 10 years, but continued writing and performing her music. She has to date recorded 3 albums, with the 4th album “Can You Hear Me?” currently being recorded, and due for release in early fall 2012. Her music embodies the term “Folk Rock”. Her songs tell vivid stories using clever, memorable melodies and harmonies along with captivating lyrics. And her sound has been compared to that of The Indigo Girls, Melissa Ethridge, and Joni Mitchell. Nathalie Levey of the Northeast Performer Magazine says “Paquin tugs at the heartstrings of her listeners and the rich, cozy humility of her voice goes down like red wine over good conversation.” Andrea feels fortunate to have played all over the Northeast sharing many stages with talented musicians including Melissa Ferrick, Chris Pureka, Zoe Lewis, Edie Carey, Anne Heaton, Howie Day and Blessed Union of Souls. She has performed at colleges and festivals throughout the country. She performed at Pride in North Hampton MA, Fresno CA, Boston MA, and NH. She has also performed at Raise the Roof Women’s Music Festival in Ontario. And she was a finalist in the CT Folk Festival songwriting competition 2011. In addition to her passion for music, Andrea also has a passion for serving others. She has also dedicated most of her life to working with and for people with developmental disabilities. Andrea volunteers much of her time performing at benefit concerts that help raise awareness about people with developmental disabilities. Volunteering is very important to Andrea and she continues to donate her time as often as she can. She has also done benefits for domestic violence, MADD, SADD, and Go Green Benefits. Andrea enjoys using her musical gifts in an effort to help others.

Ebin-Rose Trio: For more than two decades, southeastern Connecticut’s Ebin Parker and Rose Bengston have won a devoted audience with their soft but complex and ethereal music that finds its roots in Britain’s Pentangle, Nick Drake and John Martyn, among others. Then two years ago, Ebin-Rose became a trio with the addition of upright bass player Bobo Lavorgna. It was a musical marriage which allowed them to move their music into a more dynamic improvisational range. Now they find themselves at the Connecticut Folk Festival as one of the Audition Night choices following an appearance last month at the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in Hebron.
With Ebin’s fine finger-picked guitar work and Rose’s gentle and expressive voice, the ensemble offers, as one writer aptly termed it many years ago, “a flowing musical mosaic.”
Ebin put it this way in a June interview published in No Depression magazine when asked to characterize the trio’s music: “Strangely enough I think that Celtic Americana is close, even though I thought it odd at first. I guess if Richard Thompson can be acknowledged by the AMA as Americana Artist of the Year, it is a fairly wide-open field. Anglican folk rock comes to mind as a label, but I doubt there is ever going to be a drop-down box for that. Appalachian music is certainly at its heart Celtic, and how could there be Americana without Appalachian music? When people ask what our band sounds like, I sometimes say we are like Pentangle, only not from the UK, knowing most of them will not have a clue as to how Pentangle sounds.” — Steve Winters, Profiles in Folk, WSHU FM

Paul Belbusti: “Mercy Choir is the songwriting and recording project of New Haven, CT based musician Paul Belbusti. Over the past decade, Paul has produced a large quantity of critically acclaimed music ranging from abstract experiments to more traditional pop and rock and roll. Mercy Choir’s latest release is “Like a Fountain Stirred” and it is its best and most adventurous work to date.”

March 17, 2017

Julia Russo’s haunting melodies have earned her a recent nomination as Folk Artist of the Year and her first album receiving acclaim as Folk Album of the Year by the International Music and Entertainment Awards. The “just- a-girl-a-guitar-and-her-voice” songs are deep and emoting. As she tenderly sings about love lost and reflective angst soulfully, her ability to find her voice within the songs couple with the production developed to be totally refreshing. Inspiring true songwriting artistry is what Julia accomplishes through a poetic literary lens by balancing empathy and connection with a thirst for comfort, immense gravitas, and sobering truth. Julia has been gaining ground performing in Connecticut, Boston, New York City, Nashville, and London.

Podunk Throwbacks are a “throwback” to a time when songwriters did not “lure” listeners with familiar covers and slip their own works in between, but believed in their songs enough to allow them to stand on their own….& that’s exactly what they do. Their music combines lyrics of life experience with jazz, rock, country, folk & classical influences, providing a little something for everyone to relate to. Together, the Podunk Throwbacks take front-man & songwriter, Todd Skilton’s musical perceptions of life and “throw them back” with a unique sound, no “gimmicks” or formulation & an energy that keeps the audience engaged.
The Podunk Throwbacks started as a duo in 2012, and have evolved into a 5-piece band over the years. They have taken their 3 hours of originals from coffeeshops and hardware stores to the Goshen Stampede, the Elm City Folk Festival &most recently, the Podunk Bluegrass Festival Acoustic stage. They have performed in venues all over CT, MA, NY & RI, & are currently working on their first cd

Lys Guillorn is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Shelton, CT whose stylistic shape-shifting has roots in folk and psych-rock. Her most recent release is a two-song single titled “Sunny Side Down,” which draws inspiration from Nancy Sinatra and garage rock. In addition, she has two full-length studio records of original material, an oddities collection, and an EP, all available on Bandcamp. In addition to performing solo, she plays with Lys Guillorn & Her Band, and Dangbats. “So if oddly uplifting, folk, blues country-infused acoustic semi-electric psychedelic dark pop music is your thing, please say hello to Lys Guillorn, you’ll get along just fine.” – Geraint Jones, Comes With a Smile #14 (UK)

February 17, 2017

the honeycreepers are the musical fusion of classical and musical theater trained vocalist Kelsea Burch and self-taught, experimental guitarist and vocalist Matt Shea. In 2012, while living on a farm in Hawaii, the duo began by sharing stories of their adventures and misadventures through music. As time passed and the scope of subject matter broadened, a new blend of acoustic tunes began to sprout from the rich soil of American music. A splash of funk, a dollop of folk and a heaping spoonful of soul help create their savory sound. Not to be missed are the rich, soaring vocals of Kelsea, the full, rhythmic guitar playing of Matt, and the chemistry between them that is the honeycreepers.

Kierstin Sieser‘s songwriting is best described as dreamy Americana. After a hiatus following her debut album recorded at Dirt Floor Studios, Songs from the Seams, she formed the band Tiny Ocean. Their new EP is being released soon.

Seth Adam, A thirty-eight year old singer/songwriter born and raised in Connecticut. I describe my music as singer-songwriter/Americana/alt-country/folk/rock. That’s a lot of sub genres, but probably the best way to characterize it. My earliest influences were Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Kenny Rogers. My dad used to spin their records for me when I was a kid. Though I (and my parents) endured my hair-metal, progressive-rock, and grunge phases, I find the music I write now to be the most heartfelt. My biggest influence is Counting Crows (much more than a “90’s band”), with Led Zeppelin coming in at a close second place. In recent years I’ve come to nearly deify The Beatles and Son Volt. I’ve never had the success of my heroes, but I still make music because I love to.

January 20, 2017

Robert C. Fullerton Robert C Fullerton’s musical experience has been a journey through several styles of music, including folk, blues, jazz, even classical and gospel. All of these things have shaped his sound – sort of “acoustic soul”. With a recent on his skills as a songwriter, he is currently working on his third album in four years. “I grew up in a family where the radio and record player were on more than the TV.”

A shortlist of recording credits includes the Discovery Channel (Penn & Teller) and PBS (Roadtrip Nation). He produced Chris Berardo and the Desberardos CD “Ignoring All the Warning Signs” which reached #4 on a Sirius/XM radio Americana chart.

As a songwriter Richard has had a dozen or more of his compositions recorded by other artists, and several more have appeared in the stage acts of various singers. He released a new collection of original songs early in 2016 titled “A Step Up” produced in a collaboration with Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step.

In performance he has appeared on stage as a member of or an accompanist for such disparate acts as Orchestra New England, soprano Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek, and the Nutopians. His band won the 2010 Podunk Bluegrass Festival band competition and has performed at major bluegrass festivals in the Northeast.

As a staff musician on Newtown, CT’s Flagpole Radio Cafe Richard has appeared onstage as an accompanist with the likes of Peter Yarrow, Tom Chapin, Jonathan Edwards, Livingston Taylor, and others too numerous to mention. He is also honored to be a member of the bands led by youthful bluegrass virtuosi Korey Brodsky and G Rockwell.

Richard also acts as Master of Ceremonies for a variety of concert events, including the Clearwater Festival.

For 16 years he has been one of the hosts of the “Bluegrass & Beer” series which takes place at The Acoustic in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, CT.

The Kenn Morr Band (duo) is touring in support the double-disc set “Afterimage” featuring fresh acoustic interpretations of material from eight previous releases. Kenn left his native Long Island and found in Connecticut a home. He has shared the stage with John Sebastian, Al Kooper, Eric Burdon, Aztec Two Step and John Wesley Harding.

Morr’s got a rich baritone and the kind of humor and charisma that enthralls audiences of all sizes, from coffeehouses to stages as demanding as the famed Bitter End in New York City and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven. With airplay across the country and Europe (England, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, among other countries), “Afterimage” is set to bring the Kenn Morr sound to new listeners.

September 16, 2016

Ashley Hamel is a multi-talented performance artist. Musician, wizard rocker, event host, improv comedian, the artist knows no fear when it comes to performing. She has played libraries, coffeehouses, and venues small and large, both locally and internationally. Her soaring vocals, incredible stage presence, and spirited songwriting lend to Hamel’s unforgettable live show. A rising star in the local circuit with a devoted following, Hamel is poised to take on a heavy recording and touring schedule in 2017.

That Virginia is a mix of strange feelings, warm weather wishes, and stomach butterflies. Virginia was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and she brings the tropical warmth of her nature to her performances, while often singing about the not so warm truth of emotions, humanity, and other oddities.

American Elm is Chris Bousquet, a singer-songwriter from Connecticut. He is the former leader of the internationally acclaimed High Lonesome Plains, and as well as the widely regarded Alligator Farmhouse. He has performed with such luminaries as Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Mercury Rev, Miracle Legion, John Sebastian, Asleep at the Wheel, The Nields, Mark Mulcahy, The Turtles, Nathaniel Rateliff, Dry the River, J. Geils, and Susan Cowsill.

As American Elm, he has released several E.P.s (“Ulmus Americana” in 2008, “alonesomenoise” in 2014”) and a single “Empty Island Houses (2014). American Elm’s latest is an EP called “Into the Light Within,” released in July of 2015.

October 14, 2016

Kat Kennedy began performing around her home state of Connecticut at the age of 7. Since then she has performed at venues across the country, sparking a love of music and performance that led her to Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was there that she found her current singer/songwriter, pop folk style.

Frank Critelli writes songs. He dabbles in haiku and other short poetry. He also writes other things. Like postcards. Frank Critelli often performs live. Sometimes he performs solo, sometimes he is accompanied by one or more musical co-conspirators. Over the years he’s played in streets and subways, barrooms and classrooms, coffeehouses and colleges, theaters, festivals, and (most recently) in his kitchen.

November 18, 2016

New Earth is a fun band of singer / songwriters, dedicated to presenting a variety of songs they’ve written. The band is professional and the music is appropriate for all ages. With decades of songwriting and performing experience New Earth has been on the road since 1999.

In 2014 Tracy Walton produced Julia Autumn Ford’s debut album at his studio On Deck Sound Studio. In essence the record is somewhat the birth of Belle of the Fall, as Tracy plays all of the instruments on the record and Julia sings. Later that year they would tour the East Coast together sharing bills playing separate solo sets, with Tracy sitting in on some of Julia’s songs.

Sometimes an idea seems too simple so it takes a while for it to come to fruition. Simply put, two is often better than one. With Belle of the Fall it was as simple as an agreement of “All in.” The summer of 2015 was the right time for two forces to collide.

Glenn Roth is not your typical commuter from Connecticut. Instead of a briefcase, he carries a gig bag. His workspace is the vaulted splendor of Grand Central Terminal or the tunnels and platforms of the New York City subway system. A literal “underground” sensation, Glenn is a licensed performer in the MTA’s “Music under New York” program, playing for the most distracted and demanding audience in the world: legions of workers rushing to jobs throughout the Big Apple. And his fingers work magic, creating a soundscape of compelling melodies that invite them to leave the city rush behind on an aural escape.

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May 20, 2016

Heather Fay

Alt-country singer, songwriter and guitarist Heather Fay chronicles her philosophies and adventures through honest songs with bright, delicate melodies and inventive lyrics. Each of her original tunes is rooted in raw emotion and unfolds a fresh plot that explores her personal perspectives on love, heartbreak, hope, endings, new beginnings and the complex human journey. Her careful work in the studio illuminates her command as a musical storyteller, sparked by the many poets and artists that have colored her world.

The Meadows Brothers

The New England based Americana roots duo, The Meadows Brothers, are best known for their close sibling harmonies, melodious, unsweetened songwriting and expressive musicality. The brothers infuse each carefully crafted song with an old soul sensibility, however spryly delivered. “Vocal harmonies that will melt your heart into mush, guitar runs that will set your hair on fire…” and supple blues-tinged harp playing make for a satisfying, meaty music encounter.

April 29, 2016

Gracie Day

Growing up in Boxford Massachusetts, and now living in greater Hartford, Connecticut, Gracie Day has established herself as a performer up and down the New England coast. Her compelling, sultry voice transports the listener along an emotional journey by way of honest and raw lyrics in a sound that has been described as Country, Folk, and Blues-Rock.

Meredith Rose

Meredith Rose is a Connecticut-based folk pop singer/songwriter known for her captivating lyrics, innovative guitar hooks, and emotive performances. In 2014, Rose was nominated as ‘Best Singer/Songwriter’ for the Connecticut Music Awards. In 2015, she released her debut EP ‘Sow’, co-produced by local Emmy Award-winner Jim Chapdelaine, and continued to perform throughout the year in venues as far as Australia and France.

Canyon

Currently hailing from Connecticut, Canyon. is a 30 year old vocal powerhouse. She is known by those that have seen her perform to be a captivating singer/songwriter with haunting and heart-wrenchingly honest songs. Performing with just an acoustic guitar, her catchy vocal melodies will immediately grab your attention while the intimate lyrics and stories she tells will keep your ears guessing. Known for performing with an intensely raw passion and conviction, her sound will cut you deep and hit a nerve.

March 18, 2016

Elaine Atwell

Elaine Atwell has been a songwriter for as long as she can remember. She hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where she was raised on a diet of bluegrass and her parents’ record collections. After attending the University of North Carolina, she lived in New Orleans for five years, and immersed herself in second lines and crawfish boils. She now makes her home in New Haven, working as a writer and critic and playing music whenever she gets a chance.

Rivers

“Rivers” is a husband and wife songwriting team made up of Mike & Chandra Rivers…over the past year they’ve been writing songs that will be on their upcoming debut record to be recorded early 2016. Both have played in other bands in the past but this is their first go in music together apart from singing around the house(always a regular occurrence). In addition to singing with “Rivers” Chandra plays trombone in The Hartford Hot Several and sings with Another Octave women’s chorus. Mike, formerly of the acoustic duo “Common Ground” alongside Al Raebuck and guitar player for the northwest hip hop band “The 100th Monkey” is stepping into the role of principal singer/songwriter for Rivers and couldn’t be happier to be sharing the experience with Chandra and her lovely harmonies. We’re excited to be part of The Old Church concert series!

Andy Wakeman

“Singer-songwriter Andy Wakeman, a Rocky Hill native, is an old soul and that’s reflected in his writing. Thoughtfully written songs are delivered with an indie-folk bend to them. Wakeman’s songs are the type of tunes that could be performed with a full backing band, or with just the man and his guitar.”